Iran Warns of Plot to Exploit Rightful Demands of Iraqis, Lebanese

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November 8, 2019

Iran’s Top General Urges Muslim Condemnation of Trump’s Plan

“There have been those who have sought in recent days to create plots in Lebanon and Iraq to exploit the legitimate demands of the two peoples and benefit from them,” General Baqeri said.

“Some movements are spreading corruption in Beirut and Baghdad squares, distributing money, and launching media psychological wars in order to keep people in the squares,” he warned.

“The enemies expect that the axis of resistance will be affected by these plots, but they will fail as they failed in the past,” he added.

“It is the responsibility of the government in Lebanon and Iraq to solve the problems of their countries and work on reconstruction, whether there are demonstrations or not, and no country has the right to interfere in their affairs.”

Since October 17, Lebanon has witnessed widespread and ongoing popular protests calling for early elections and the abolition of the sectarian quota system in politics, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Massive demonstrations have also been taking place in Iraq since October 1 in more than a dozen provinces to demand the departure of Adel Abdul Mahdi’s government.

IAEA Inspector Tests Positive for Explosive Nitrates: Iran

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IFP Media Wire

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November 8, 2019

According to Gharib-Abadi, the October 28 incident happened at Natanz nuclear facility, whose entrance includes equipment to check for traces of nitrates.

“The detector’s alarm went off and it was signaling to a specific person,” he said. “They repeated this procedure again and again, and unfortunately, the results were the same all the way for only that specific inspector.”

The Iranian envoy says as they waited for a female employee to search the inspector, the woman inspector went off to the bathroom, and when she came back, she no longer tested positive. He said the team took samples from the bathroom, and seized her handbag.

Gharib-Abadi said he hoped further tests by Iran and the IAEA would explain what happened.

“Needless to say that Iran, like all other members of the Agency, cannot condone any behavior or action which may be against the safety and security of its nuclear installations, especially … considering the past sabotage attempts in its nuclear facilities,” he said.

Nitrates are a common fertilizer. However, when mixed with proper amounts of fuel, the material can become an explosive as powerful as TNT. Swab tests, common at airports and other secure facilities, can detect its presence on the skin or objects.

Several Killed in 5.9-Magnitude Quake in Northwestern Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 8, 2019

5.9-Magnitude Quake in Northwestern Iran — A 5.9-magnitude quake in north-western Iran causes severe damages to Tark and Varnakesh villages / Photo by Fars News Agency

The earthquake hit an area near the village of Tark in Mianeh County at 2:17 a.m. (local time) on Friday, according to the Seismological Centre of the Institute of Geophysics of Tehran University.

The epicentre, with a depth of 8 km, was determined to be at 37.76 degrees of north latitude and 47.64 degrees of east longitude.

The location of the quake has been reported to be 19 km from Tark village and 22 km from the city of Sarab, data from the seismological centre showed.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90% of the country. As a result, earthquakes in Iran occur often and are destructive.

Karbala Tribe Chiefs Apologize to Iran over Consulate Attack

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IFP Media Wire

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November 7, 2019

The tribal leaders met with Iran’s Consul General in Karbala Mir-Masoud Hosseinian on Wednesday and offered their apology for Sunday’s raid by a group of assailants on the Iranian diplomatic mission.

They said the attackers could not disrupt brotherly and strong relations between the Iranians and the people of Karbala, adding that Tehran has stood with the Iraqis during difficult times.

Hosseinian, for his part, stressed that the incident would not affect Baghdad-Tehran ties and expressed hope that the Iraq unrest would end soon.

Late on Sunday, a group of so-called protesters scaled the concrete barriers surrounding Iran’s Karbala consulate and spray-painted scurrilous writings on its perimeter walls.

Some other demonstrators also threw stones and burned tires around the Iranian consulate building, prompting Iraqi security forces to fire in the air to disperse the crowd.

Local sources said an Iraqi element affiliated to the Ba’ath Party has been arrested over the attack, but there has been no confirmation from Iraqi officials.

‘Port blockage cost Iraq $6’

In another development on Wednesday, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said the blocking of Iraq’s major Um Qasr port by anti-government protesters has cost the Arab country over $6 billion so far.

“Iraq has lost more than 6$ billion due to closure of Umm Qasr port, after protesters blocked all the roads that leads to the port,” Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said at a press conference. “Blocking the roads and bridges will only harm the Iraqi economy.”

He further warned that Iraqi security forces will “immediately arrest any protester or individual who blocks the roads and bridges from now on, as we will also make sure not to let anyone to get close to the ports and the oil fields.”

Khalaf also said that security forces had been ordered not to use live fire on demonstrators.

“To avoid any confusion, clear and strict instructions have been handed down that no live ammunition be used. Orders have also been given not allow any live ammunition on the scene [of protests],” he said.

At the start of October, street protests erupted in several Iraqi cities over unemployment and a lack of basic services.

The rallies resumed on October 25 after a pause of about two weeks, but took a violent turn. Over 150 people lost their lives in the first round, according to official figures.

The United Nations estimates that as of November 4 at least 254 people were killed and thousands more wounded during Iraq protests.

‘Wind’ Painting Exhibition Underway in Tehran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 7, 2019

In the painting, Iranian high school girls can be seen wearing uniforms on the streets of Tehran, but their face or behaviour is not recognisable.

The special attribute of this collection is the presence of a natural element that is not clearly evident, but plays an important role. The wind, without being seen in the picture, could be felt as it disrupts the order of the elements in the works.

The scarves on the students’ head, not deliberately, have concealed their faces. Here, without seeing faces, one can visualise the laughter or anger and see their different reactions.

In the works of Shohreh Mehran, most of the subjects have no visible face. The audience either can see their backs or the subjects have covered their faces with their hands when tidying their scarves. But this time an external element such as the wind has covered their faces.

Removing women’s faces and putting them under cover gives them an identical identity that enhances their homogeneity in their uniforms.

The painting exhibition will run through November 19 at E’temad Gallery.

What follows are Honar Online’s photos of the exhibition:

1 of 14

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 7

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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November 7, 2019

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Aftab-e Eghtesadi:

1- US’ Role in Closure of Bank Accounts of Iranians Living in Malaysia

2- Chinese Firms to Replace Other Foreign Companies: Industry Minister

Asr-e Azadi:

1- Zarif to Europe: Remain Committed to Your Commitments

2- Kuwait Deputy FM: We Conveyed Iran’s Message to Saudi, Bahrain

Etemad:

1- Fordow Last Step Before End of JCPOA?

2- Rouhani: We Have to Take Fourth Step, But There Are Still 2 Months Left for Talks

3- Obligatory Peace in Southern Yemen: Resigned Gov’t, Separatists Reach Agreement

4- Iran’s Fourth Step Equal to Three Steps: Analyst

Iran:

1- Enrichment in Fordow in Fourth Cut to Iran’s Commitments

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Beginning of 4.5-Percent Enrichment in Fordow

2- Even Johnson Falls Victim to Brexit

3- France Determined to Expel MKO: French Official

4- Riyadh Deal Introduction to Yemen Disintegration: Southern Yemen Groups

Kayhan:

1- Pentagon: 20 US Soldiers Commit Suicide Everyday

2- Paris, Washington Dividing Labour: Is France Complicit with US?

3- Fourth Step a Trivial One: JCPOA Withdrawal Only Response to West’s Violation of Commitments

4- Syrian Military Enters Northern Areas, Warmly Welcomed by People

5- Iran Leader’s Aide: Our Experience Shows US, E3 Not Going to Fulfill Their Commitments

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

1- Iran’s Letter on Plan to Inject Gas into Fordow Facilities Delivered to IAEA

2- 2,000 Kilograms of UF6 Gas in Fordow as Part of Fourth Step

3- Zarif: We Will Return to Our Commitments If Europe Complies with Its Obligations

Erdogan Says Turkey Has Captured al-Baghdadi’s Wife

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IFP Media Wire

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November 7, 2019

Al-Baghdadi was known to have four wives, the maximum number one can have under Islamic law at one time, Al Jazeera reported.

“The United States said Baghdadi killed himself in a tunnel. They started a communication campaign about this,” said President Erdogan.

“But I am announcing it here for the first time: We captured his wife and didn’t make a fuss like them. Similarly, we also captured his sister and brother-in-law in Syria,” he said in a speech at Ankara University. He gave no other details.

A senior Turkish official said earlier this week that Turkey had captured al-Baghdadi’s sister, her husband and daughter-in-law, and hoped to gain intelligence from them about ISIS, although Ankara has not said what knowledge they may have had about the group’s operations.

A Turkish official said the 65-year-old sister is suspected of being affiliated with ISIS and called her capture an intelligence “gold mine”.

Fahrettin Altun, Turkey’s communications director, said on Twitter. “The arrest of al-Baghdadi’s sister is yet another example of the success of our counter-terrorism operations.”

China, US Agree to Roll Back Tariffs on Each Other’s Goods

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IFP Media Wire

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November 7, 2019

The amount of tariff relief that would come in the first phase, set to be signed in the coming weeks, would depend on the content of that agreement, spokesman Gao Feng said Thursday without giving further details. The two sides had “constructive talks” in the past two weeks, he said.

If confirmed by the US, such an understanding could provide a road-map to a deal to end the trade war that’s cast a shadow over the world economy.

China’s key demand since the start of negotiations has been the removal of punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which by now apply to the majority of its exports to the US

Stocks rallied, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbing 0.7% and futures on the S&P 500 adding 0.5%. The yuan strengthened.

The two sides continue to negotiate over where and when a “Phase One” deal would be signed. Gao said he had no further information on the location or timing.

Iran Officially Starts Enrichment at Fordow Nuclear Plant

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 7, 2019

In a statement on Wednesday, the AEOI said the gas injection started at 00:00 (local time) Thursday upon the order of President Hassan Rouhani, who is also the head of the Supreme National Security Council.

The gas injection, which was completed under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), started after the transfer of a cylinder containing 2,000 kilograms of UF6 from Shahid Ahmadi Roshan nuclear facility of Natanz to Fordow nuclear plant, located near the city of Qom.

The underground facility in Fordow has 1,044 IR-1 centrifuges. The uranium hexafluoride gas is being injected into 696 centrifuges, and the remaining machines (348) are used for producing and enriching stable isotopes.

Spokesman for the AEOI Behrouz Kamalvandi says after the completion of the process, enrichment will resume at Fordow plant at the level of 4.5 percent by Saturday, when the inspectors will come back to check the process again.

The fourth step in Iran’s commitment reductions was initially announced by President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday.

Rouhani confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday that the gas injection would begin later in the day.

The Islamic Republic says the suspension of its commitments is not a violation of the JCPOA but is based on Articles 26 and 36 of the agreement itself. The country has repeatedly said the moves are reversible in case other parties to the JCPOA live up to their commitments.

The fate of the Iran deal has been in doubt since May 2018, when the US abruptly abandoned the deal and reinstated the anti-Iran sanctions that it had lifted as part of the JCPOA.

Tehran says the European cosignatories — Britain, Germany and France — have so far failed to uphold their commitments. They have expressed vocal support for the deal, but failed to provide meaningful economic incentives as required under the nuclear agreement.